Hand-arm vibration testing

Your duties as an employer

What is it?

Hand-arm vibration is a vibration that’s transmitted into a workers’ hands and arms – it can come from a wide variety of tools

What is it?

Regular exposure to hand-arm vibration can create health issues, such as HAVS (hand-arm vibration syndrome) and CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome)

Both of these illnesses are permanent

Many workers choose to sue their employer if health and safety procedures are not carried out

The law says employers should:

• Control vibration to protect workers• Provide instruction, information and

training to employees on the risk of hand-arm vibration

• Provide health surveillance to employees at risk

A good vibration risk assessment should always:

• Identify where there is a risk of vibration• Identify who is likely to be exposed to vibration• Contain an estimate of exposure to employees• Identify what actions need to be taken to comply with the law• Identify any employees who require health surveillance, monitoring, and checks

What to do next…

If you’re concerned about hand-arm vibration in your business, check out hse.gov.uk. There, you will find information for employers, including all legal information and helpful guides.

There is also an exposure estimate chart that covers a wide variety of different tools.

http://www.worlifts.co.uk0121 460 1113